The rand strengthened against the dollar on Monday on rising global risk appetite and South African government bonds edged higher, but local debt could come under pressure if the government signals a rise in borrowing in its budget this week. Full story

South African stocks ended little changed on Monday, as gains by Anglo American Platinum and other platinum producers were counterbalanced by a decline in retailers such as Shoprite ahead of earnings. Full story

Senior U.N. inspectors arrived in Iran on Monday to push for transparency about its disputed nuclear programme and several European states halted purchases of Iranian oil as part of Western moves to pile pressure on a defiant Tehran. Full story

Russia, China and Iran showed support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday, days before an international meeting likely to pile more pressure on him to step down in the face of an increasingly bloody uprising. Full story

Myanmar's election authorities on Monday said a ministerial order restricting some campaign rallies had been lifted, just hours after Aung San Suu Kyi's party complained its campaigning for upcoming parliamentary by-elections was being stifled. Full story

South Africa plans to invest 2 billion rand to build an ethanol plant and help a nascent biofuels sector that could reduce the country's reliance on imported fuel, an industry player said on Monday.. . . Full story

South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan looks set to announce another chunky deficit at this week's budget, putting big infrastructure upgrades and the needs of the jobless ahead of bond-holders' preference to see cuts in state spending.. . . Full story